Decatur, Illinois is an affordable, easygoing place to base a multi-week assignment — compact downtown, Millikin University–influenced arts and music, parks and a family-friendly zoo give you walkable neighborhoods, local coffee shops, breweries and enough culture to unwind after work.
Within an easy drive (under 75 miles) you can reach Bloomington–Normal for bigger dining and nightlife, Champaign–Urbana for university events and diverse restaurants, or Springfield for state museums and weekend options.